These Lotus Elites typically show up on craigslist in horrendous shape, either with destroyed interiors, hopeless electrical woes or both. In addition, I’ve been surprised at some of the higher asking prices I’ve seen, as if the Lotus badge alone is enough to overlook the car’s sins. Thankfully, this 1974 Elite here on craigslist sent it by Barn Finds reader StillRunners appears to be fairly priced for what it is, and the pictures reveal a straight-looking body in my favorite color. In addition, the seller claims the car runs and drives, but you’ll need to replace the brakes first before you do any of that. The dry Texas weather gives me some hopes the electrical systems haven’t been completely destroyed by dampness, but that doesn’t eliminate the potential for rodent damage. This car looks worthy of at least checking out and making an offer on if the seller’s claims hold water, but I hope the next owner ditches the white-letter radials as soon as they drag the car home.
LOTUS Lots of trouble usually serious.
It is a shame that the pictures are few and unclear.
Does the buyer have to pay the parking ticket?
I’m always surprised when people talk about “Texas” and “dry weather” in the same sentence. Texas is a huge state–if you remember your geography class in elementary school, you’ll recall it’s the second largest, after Alaska. That means it has every climate possible, and the entire state is NOT a desert with tumblin’ tumbleweeds! Many areas have high humidity and heavy rains. Dallas floods, Houston floods, Austin and Hill Country flood, etc. I haven’t seen this car, and I don’t know what it’s been exposed to, but you should evaluate it like any other car–check for water damage just like any other potential risk factor for a 41 year old car that has been neglected. By the way, this is what happened in the Dallas area just this year:
http://www.weather.com/safety/floods/news/dallas-fort-worth-texas-flooding